Pride of Reading award: Health comes first for Reading company

A Reading company that helps hard to reach groups access health services has been nominated by no less than four of its staff as a Great Place to Work in the Pride of Reading awards.

Emma Taylor, from Twyford, describes Solutions 4 Health in Richfield Avenue as being not only a great place to work but “the best”.

Ms Taylor, regional coordinator for Eat 4 Health Programme, said: “It’s a place where you work hard, not because you get paid to, because you want to. [A place] where even though it’s a big company, the management know and value every single member of staff. They celebrate each and everyone's birthday and bring the team together at Christmas and Easter. I truly love working here and am proud to say I work for Solutions 4 Health.”

Now employing more than 260 people, Solutions 4 Health was set up in 2008 to help tackle health inequalities caused by smoking in Slough. Since then the company has continued to grow and delivers a range of public health lifestyle services to councils across England.

They set up mobile Stop Smoking Services in shopping centres, and community-based weight management services across west Berkshire as well as fall prevention services in Bracknell.

Public health project support officer Negar Avaregan said: “I love working for Solutions4Health because I believe in the work that we are engaging in. We are providing health services for individuals that have difficulties accessing them otherwise. We go out into the community and seek those in need. Every staff member is passionate about their work, and it shows on a day to day basis.”

Mrs Avaregan went on to say that Solutions 4 Health is “open to new, creative, and innovative ideas.”

“[The company] encourages me to try out things that I think will benefit the community. The endless support and encouragement that Solutions 4 Health provides gets me through even the toughest of days, while seeing the change I can help to make in people's lives continues to drive me forward every minute.”

Public health lifestyle services manager Pallavi Kaushal appreciates the fun side of the firm, saying: “The laughter-filled environment at workplace, where everyone especially the senior management team believe in human care more than healthcare is what you get at Solutions 4 Health.”

And public health project manager Sara Bambrough, from Wokingham, who has worked at Solutions 4 Health for more than two years, praises the company for its “positive culture”, which “nurtures a can-do attitude in its colleagues”.

She went on: “It is a true joy to work for a company whose core business is to help people lead healthier, more empowered lives.”

On hearing of Solutions 4 Health multiple nominations for a Pride of Reading Award, director of public health and lifestyle services Leena Sankla said: “We are delighted to be nominated for the local getreading Great Place to Work Award. Since Solutions 4 Health was set up in 2008, it has been a wonderful journey bringing together people who share the same passion we do for tackling health inequalities by helping people to adopt healthier lifestyles.

"Our current success wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication, commitment and hard work from each and every member of our team.”